Applications open for HBF's successful Women into Home Building programme

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has launched the fifth cohort of its Women into Home Building programme to attract more women into site management careers.

The programme is being delivered in partnership with 10 home builders to offer more than 30 training, support and work placements.

Participating home builders include Bellway, Gleeson, Hill Group, Lovell Homes, Northstone, Places for People, Prospect Homes, St Modwen Homes, Tilia Homes, and Vistry Group.

Currently, women account for just 16% of the construction workforce and 4% of existing site managers in the home building industry. With the industry facing a major skills shortage, the programme aims to address the constraints of the current talent pipeline and the gender imbalance in the workforce.

Since welcoming women into its first cohort in 2023, the Women into Home Building programme has engaged 238 women, successfully guided 65 candidates through training and work experience and supported 20 candidates into employment within the industry.

Women joining the fifth cohort of the programme will attend training and insight sessions to develop their knowledge of site management. Successful candidates will be matched to a local home building site where they’ll complete a two-week work placement providing hands-on experience and the opportunity to connect with potential employers.

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at HBF, says: “The home building industry offers a variety of rewarding careers and we must continue to invest in and increase the diversity of our workforce if we are to meet the ambitious housing targets set by the government.

"Having women in on-site leadership roles expands perspectives, introduces different leadership styles and boosts creativity, so we’re pleased to be working with our members once again to deliver the Women into Home Building programme.

"Our programme has been developed to increase awareness of the leadership careers available and routes to employment, whilst giving participants employer-backed knowledge and experience to kick-start their careers.”

This announcement follows the news that Women into Construction, the programme’s inaugural delivery partner, has ceased trading due to the challenging economic environment. The fifth cohort of the programme will include sponsorship from NHBC to offer candidates support with travel and childcare costs, therefore tackling a common barrier in gaining access to work experience.

Women interested in the programme can apply on the HBF website. Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 22 September 2024.